Northwest Avalanche Center

Observation: Public

All Observations

Observation Details

Name:
Kneel Turner
Observation Date:
November 30, 2020
Submitted:
December 1, 2020
Zone or Region:
West South
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Crystal backcountry.

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Near tree line
Aspect:
W
Comments:
6800’ west facing lightly treed 32* slope. Ski cuts triggered recent soft slab wind transported snow in lee pockets of trees. Soft slab propagated and slid on previous morning’s storm snow. Soft slab was 3-6” thick where we witnessed trigger. We ducked into trees and bailed on skiing on uncontrolled slopes.

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
SAA
Aspect:
W
Comments:

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

6800’ west facing lightly treed 32* slope. Ski cuts triggered recent soft slab wind transported snow in lee pockets of trees. Soft slab propagated and slid on previous morning’s storm snow. Soft slab was 3-6” thick where we witnessed trigger. We ducked into trees and bailed on skiing.

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